Armenian national delegation

History

Genesis (1912)

During the First Balkan War, which commenced in October 1912, the Russian Empire's diplomatic efforts led to a renewed focus on the Armenian question. Subsequently, Catholicos Georges V Soureniants was empowered to petition Emperor Nicholas II to protect Ottoman Armenians. As historian Anahide Ter Minassian observes, this development fostered a sense of optimism among Armenian organizations, which initiated the collection, publication, and dissemination of statistical and documentary evidence to bolster the case for Russian diplomatic action.

In November 1912, Georges V Soureniants concluded a diplomatic agreement, known as a "kontak", which established the Armenian National Delegation in Paris. The Catholicos enjoyed the support of the Viceroy of the Caucasus, Illarion Vorontsov-Dashkov, and the National Bureau, which represented the Armenians of Russia and was established in 1912. He appointed businessman and diplomat Boghos Nubar Pacha as the head of the delegation. Among its members were other prominent figures of the Parisian Armenian community, such as the writer Archag Chobanian and the former Ottoman minister Gabriel Noradounghian, who became a member after his exile to France in November 1918. Aram Andonian served as its secretary between 1919 and 1923.

This delegation, established during the First Balkan War to represent the interests of Ottoman Armenians, was dispatched to Paris to advocate for the Armenian cause before the six powers that had signed the Treaty of Berlin in 1878. This was in accordance with the Armenian delegation's efforts at the Berlin Congress, led by Archbishop Mkrtich Khrimian. In early December 1912, Boghos Nubar Pasha arrived in Paris. This was at a time when the Ottoman Empire had requested an armistice (December 3). While the Political Council of the Armenian National Assembly was responsible for managing the issue from the Ottoman and Russian sides, the National Delegation was tasked with external diplomatic action, particularly about the major European powers.

Upon his arrival in Paris, Boghos Nubar promptly sought an audience with the Ottoman ambassador to propose a consensus among the Russians, English, Germans, and French on the reforms to be implemented in Ottoman Armenia.

London Conference (September 1912 – May 1913)

Subsequently, Boghos Nubar made regular journeys from Paris to Berlin, Geneva, and London. In this city, his contacts with high-ranking English dignitaries were relayed by the influential British Armenia Committee (in which Lord Bryce sat), which sought to have reforms in Ottoman Armenia discussed at the London Conference convened to negotiate peace between the Balkan states and the Ottoman Empire following the Ottoman defeat, resulting in the Treaty of London in May 1913. On several occasions, he visited Edward Grey, head of the Foreign Office.

In this context, which also witnessed the ascendance of the Young Turks to power, Boghos Nubar Pasha, a figure more conservative than the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), called for reforms within the Ottoman Empire under the stipulations outlined in the Treaty of Berlin (particularly Article 61). However, he did not advocate for Armenian autonomy or independence from the Empire. He maintained contact with the ARF, notably with Vahan Papazian, an influential figure in the Armenian institutions of Constantinople, who visited him in Paris in February 1913 to clarify the key points of the reforms to be implemented. They agreed on a common project for the representatives of the great powers, which included the appointment of European inspectors and guarantees from European states.

At that time, the National Delegation distributed a memorandum that outlined the potential benefits of implementing reforms in Western Armenia. The memorandum, produced by the institutions of the Armenian National Assembly, suggested that such reforms could contribute to regional stability and peace. It was then forwarded to André Mandelstam, a diplomat attached to the Russian Embassy in Constantinople, and subsequently brought to the attention of Russian diplomatic circles. The memorandum presented several proposals for consideration:

Unification of the six vilayets;

Appointment of a governor (Christian, Ottoman, or European), as well as an Administrative Council and a mixed Islamic-Christian provincial assembly;

Formation of a mixed gendarmerie led by European officers to protect the Armenians;

Between the London Conference and the Great War (1913–1914)

In mid-1913, Nicholas II amassed troops in the Caucasus, at the border with the Ottoman Empire, and sought to intensify pressure by ordering his agents to incite Kurdish provocations in Western Armenia.

As historian Raymond Kévorkian observes, Boghos Nubar Pasha persisted in traveling during the Conference and particularly in the months that followed, with the objective of "attempting to influence the stances of various parties, relying on pro-Armenian national committees", such as the British Armenia Committee or the Armenian Committee of Berlin. He was thus supported by some pro-Armenian British Members of Parliament in the House of Commons, yet he encountered difficulty in persuading British diplomats of the merits of the reform project. He was disconcerted by the passive stance of the United Kingdom, which starkly contrasted with that of the Ottoman officials, particularly Grand Vizier Mahmoud Shevket Pacha, who expressed support for the proposed reforms. Boghos Nubar also engaged with Italian political figures, such as Deputy Galli, who made a public statement in June 1913 in the Italian Parliament in favor of reforms in Ottoman Armenia.

In June 1913, European diplomats resumed negotiations in the Ottoman capital, utilizing the Armenian memorandum as the foundation for their discussions. The Armenian National Delegation, continuing its diplomatic work in Europe, underscored to diplomats that the Armenians were not pursuing autonomy but rather the establishment of an administration that would guarantee their security. In his discussions with British financial circles, Boghos Nubar sought to persuade them that the proposed reforms would guarantee the security of their loans in the Ottoman Empire. Similarly, in his conversations with the German government, he endeavored, in collaboration with the Armenian Committee of Berlin, to illustrate that implementing reforms would be the most effective means of preventing a Russian invasion of the Ottoman Empire.

In the context of the economic crisis that impacted the Ottoman Empire, Boghos Nubar Pasha put forth a proposal linking the provision of European material aid to the implementation of reforms. However, this proposal was not given due consideration by the major powers. At that time, only Russia demonstrated a genuine interest in the Armenian question. In late June or early July, Boghos Nubar met with Mehmet Cavit Bey. In a subsequent statement published in the Armenian newspaper Azadamard, the Ottoman government indicated its willingness to implement reforms and asserted that it had reached an agreement with Boghos Nubar Pasha on the majority of points, except for the issue of guarantees, following a meeting in Paris. Nevertheless, this official stance was largely driven by the Ottoman government's necessity to obtain a French financial loan to resume hostilities against Bulgaria. The visit of Boghos Nubar, a prominent figure in French political circles, appeared to be part of this strategic maneuver.

World War I (1914–1918)

As the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire was subjected to mass killings during the Armenian Genocide, the Armenian National Delegation, and thus primarily Boghos Nubar Pasha, negotiated the Franco-Armenian Agreement of 1916. One of the key figures in the formation of the Armenian Legion (initially known as the Legion of the Orient) was Boghos Nubar, who sought to secure compensation for the Armenians after the war. This included the promise of an autonomous Armenian Cilicia under French protection. Nubar, who served as a crucial link between the French government and the Armenian recruitment committee for legionnaires, saw the Legion of the Orient as a foundation for the future Armenian army.

Following the declaration of independence of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (May 1918) and the conclusion of hostilities, the Armenian National Delegation proclaimed the independence of Integral Armenia and formally notified the Allied powers in a note dated November 30, 1918. In this document, the delegation declared that "the independence of Integral Armenia shall be under the aegis of the Allied Powers and the United States, or the League of Nations as soon as it is formed."

Paris Peace Conference (January - August 1919)

In the aftermath of the war, the Armenian National Delegation participated in the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. Among the delegation's agents was the author Zabel Yesayan, who was appointed inspector by the delegation for the duration of the conference. As a refugee in the Caucasus between 1916 and 1918, she engaged in the significant task of collecting testimonies from refugees of the Armenian Genocide. She proceeded from Tehran to Paris in late 1918, where she delivered to the Armenian delegates a substantial body of documentation on the crimes committed by the Ottoman Empire.

The Delegation was present at the conference in conjunction with the delegation sent by the Democratic Republic of Armenia. They were, for the most part, in direct competition with one another, and the presence of this delegation, led by Avetis Aharonian, who did not possess the influence of Boghos Nubar, irritated the latter.

The vision of Armenia presented at the conference by Boghos Nubar was characterized by a notable degree of ambition, as evidenced by the map included herewith. According to him, the Republic of Armenia was only an "Araratian Armenia" (i.e., Eastern Armenia, at the foot of Mount Ararat) destined to be integrated into a much larger territory extending from the Caucasus in the east to Cilicia in the west. This vision caused concern among French diplomats, as it challenged the Sykes-Picot agreements. Conversely, while Avetis Aharonian had been tasked by his government to claim only a territorial extension of Armenia in the Caucasus, he eventually aligned himself with Boghos Nubar's more ambitious claims, which included the annexation of the six vilayets and the establishment of a corridor to the Black Sea via Trebizond.

Consequently, the two delegations convened on February 12, 1919, to establish a Delegation of Integral Armenia. However, they maintained their autonomy within the newly formed entity. Together, they drafted the Memorandum on the Armenian Question, which was to be presented at the peace conference. In it, the Armenians requested a large territory and the payment of reparations by Turkey. The Council of Ten agreed to listen to the Delegation, which presented the Memorandum on February 26, 1919. However, despite this, the Armenians could not secure a seat at the negotiating table.

In the latter half of February and the following weeks, the Armenian delegations continued to provide a plethora of documents to the diplomats present, which were, for the majority, well received by the Americans but received a more reserved reception from the French. This conception of Armenia was a source of great enthusiasm for the Armenians themselves, except for a few members of the Armenian government, such as Rouben Ter Minassian or Hovhannes Katchaznouni, who feared that it would serve to further fuel Turkish nationalism.

Treaty of Sèvres (August 10, 1920)

The Treaty of Sèvres was concluded on August 10, 1920. Armenia, represented by the delegation led by Avetis Aharonian, was present at the negotiating table and among the signatories. The treaty partially satisfies the Armenian delegation, as it obligates the Ottoman Empire to recognize Armenia as a free and independent state (Article 88) and to submit the question of the border between the Ottoman Empire and Armenia in the vilayets of Erzurum, Trebizond, Van, and Bitlis to the President of the United States for resolution (Article 89). However, the Treaty of Sèvres does not mention Cilicia. Additionally, Boghos Nubar Pasha and the Armenian National Delegation are present, and the former jointly signed a protocol with Avetis Aharonian, which guarantees the freedoms, notably cultural and religious, of minorities in Armenia.

Despite being signed by the Ottoman government, Mustafa Kemal rejected the Treaty of Sèvres, and the Kemalist forces emerged victorious against the Armenian forces during the Turkish–Armenian War (September to December 1920). The Armenian Republic ceased to exist with the Sovietization of Armenia on November 29, 1920. In response, Boghos Nubar Pasha sought to establish an Armenian national home in the Cilicia region through the French mandate, a venture that only endured from 1920 to 1921. It ultimately succumbed to the French defeat at the hands of the Kemalist forces during the Cilicia campaign.

London Conferences (February - March 1921)

The London Conference is convened in part to address the Turkish issue. Turkey is represented by two delegations, one Ottoman and one Kemalist, in a position of strength as a result of its successes against the Armenians and its favorable relations with the Soviets. Despite the concessions made by the Allies, British Prime Minister Lloyd George demanded that the Turks recognize the "rights of Ottoman Armenian subjects to possess a National Home on the eastern borders of Anatolia." This notion of "home" represents a clear deviation from the terms of the Treaty of Sèvres. This deviation has been denounced by both the Armenian National Delegation and the Delegation of the Republic of Armenia, both of which have demanded that the Treaty of Sèvres be respected in its entirety. The former eventually acquiesces, while the latter persists in its rejection of this revision.

In June 1921, Boghos Nubar Pasha, "demoralized and ill", resigns from his position at the head of the Armenian National Delegation; he is succeeded by Gabriel Noradoungian.

Lausanne Conference (November 1922 - July 1923) and Treaty of Lausanne (July 24, 1923)

The Lausanne Conference of 1922-1923 did not extend an invitation to the Armenians. Some participants were present, such as Avetis Aharonian, Alexander Khatissian, Lévon Pachalian, and Gabriel Noradounghian. As Anahide Ter Minassian notes, the latter could observe the burial of the Armenian question "behind the scenes." She adds, "They persistently engage with the Conference for several months, repeatedly seeking engagement with the Allies to reinforce their commitments and pursue a final, though ultimately unsuccessful, diplomatic effort to address the Armenian question." A new memorandum was presented, in which the demand was made for creating an "Armenian home in Turkey." This was intended to accommodate the 700,000 Armenian refugees and potentially result in accession of Turkish territory to the Republic of Armenia. However, they encountered opposition from the Allies, who were reluctant to see an expansion of Soviet Armenia's territory.

Despite their efforts, the Treaty of Lausanne supersedes the Treaty of Sèvres and effectively extinguishes the aspirations for autonomy of Western Armenia or its incorporation into Eastern Armenia within a Greater Armenia.

Conclusion (1922–1925)

In August 1923, the Armenian National Delegation pledged to support the Armenian refugees by advocating for their resettlement in Soviet Armenia. In consequence, the delegation put forth a proposal to the High Commissioner for Refugees of the League of Nations, which entailed the resettlement of 50,000 refugees in the Sardarabad plain, situated close to Yerevan. To foster closer ties with the Armenian diaspora, the Armenian Soviet authorities maintained close relations with organizations such as the Armenian National Delegation and the Armenian General Benevolent Union. This desire was realized with the establishment of the Relief Committee for Armenia in 1921. Discussions with the Delegation had commenced as early as 1922.

The delegation's activities ceased in 1925. A letter dated January 31, 1925, informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of its intention to conclude its mission. However, it proposed the formation of a Central Committee for Armenian Refugees in Paris, 56 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, to assume responsibility for continuing its work. The organization that succeeded was established as early as 1924 by Gabriel Noradounghian. It was initially known as the Bureau of Armenian Refugees or the Office of Armenian Refugees and was led by Archag Tchobanian, with Lévon Pachalian serving as secretary-general. In conjunction with the Delegation of the Republic of Armenia, the former Armenian National Delegation assumed responsibility for managing Armenian refugees from 1924 to 1925. This role was subsequently confirmed by presidential decree in 1930. As Anouche Kunth notes, this enables these two delegations to maintain their presence within the national administrative landscape. According to her analysis, the dissolution of the Armenian National Delegation occurred in the wake of the general instruction of December 29, 1924, which removed Armenian nationality from the official list of nationalities. This was indicative of France's acknowledgment of the dissolution of the Armenian Republic.

Publications

Memorandum sur la question arménienne (in French). Paris: M. Flinikowski. 1919. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2024.

La Question arménienne devant la Conférence de la paix (in French). Paris. 1919. Archived from the original on October 31, 2023. Retrieved July 31, 2024.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

Aharonian, Avetis; Nubar Pacha, Boghos (1919). "La Question arménienne" (PDF). La Paix des peuples: Revue internationale de l'organisation politique et économique du monde (in French): 214–236. Archived from the original on February 22, 2024. Retrieved July 31, 2024.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

Archives

The archives of the Armenian National Delegation are currently housed at the Nubar Library. In the 1980s, some of these materials were transferred to Yerevan and later relocated to the National Archives of Armenia. The remaining collection, comprising the Delegation's correspondence from 1913 to 1921 and an extensive press review compiled by Aram Andonian, remains at the Nubar Library.